Butter-case



(Model.)

J. K. HAMLIN.

BUTTER CASE.

l Patented Apr. 4,1882.

INVBNTOR WITNESSES d. MK Xga/ ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERS. Phmu-liuwgmpher, wnhingwn, D. C.

' UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

JOHN l. HAMLIN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANA.

BUTTER-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.` 255,974, dated April 4, 1882. Application tiled April 18, 188i. (Model.)

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN K. HAML1N,ot Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and Stat-e of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and Improved Butter-Case, ot' which the following is a specification.

My improvements relate to cases for holding butter for preservation or during transportation. The wooden cases in general use for packing and transporting butter are objectionable on account ot' the taint they impart to their contents, and because of the loss by soakage or absorption ot' the butter by the wood, thereby leaving a space between the case and the butter, and exposing the latter to the deteriorating iniiuence ofthe air and surrounding odors. Itis diicult to make wooden cases air-tight, so as to preserve butter for any length of time, on account of' the porous nature of the wood. Rubber packing has been tried, but the butter was tainted by the odor ot' the vulcanized rubber. The latter is also liable to become soft and sticky when in contact with any fat or oily substance.

The object of my invention is to provide an inexpensive, light, and durable case or package for containing and preserving butter fresh and sweet for any length ot' time, whereby the finest gradesof butter can be put up in summer and kept for winter use.

The invention consists in means for accomplishing the aforesaid object, all ot' which will be hereinafter fully described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side view and partial section ot' the improved case. Fig. 2 is a vertical section ot the same, and Fig. 3 is a planl view ot' the cover. Fig. 4 is a detail view.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A is `a wooden box or case of suitable size, containing an inner box, B, made of sheet-tin or galvanized sheet-iron, fitting snugly within the wooden box.

a is a cast or malleable iron ring, to which the tin box B is soldered, and which rests upon the upper edge of box A. The rim a is formed with lips b, projecting upon the sides ot' the box, through which screws are inserted for retaining the rim in place, and it is also formed` with slotted lugs c, for securing the cover, as hereinafter described.

C is the cover, formed of wood with strengthching-cleats d, that project over the lugs c ot' the box B. rlhe ends ot' theseV cleats are slotted, and carry screw-bolts c, which, when in piace, pass through the slots ot' lugs c, and into nuts c beneath the lugs. By thesefastening devices the cover can be securely and tightly clamped; but l do not limit myself' to them, as any other suitable device may be used. The under side ot' the cover C is lined with tin and fitted with bands or stripsfof rubber, to bear on the metal rim ot' the box. The strips fare to be covered or incased in any material that has been saturated or coated with paraffine, wax, or their equivalents, thus rendering them inodorous and impervious to air or moisture; or a sheet of any suitable material saturated with any of the above substances may be spread over the surface of the case B and the iron rim a. y

Within the box A are sheets vor slidesg, of tin or other suitable materia-l, having holes h near their upper ends, as shown in Fig. 4. These slides g form movable sides inside ofthe box B, and in use should be coated with paratne to prevent oxidation. They are also faced with pieces ofm uslin, as shown at t', which ham been previously saturated with a solution of borax or of borax and brine.

When the case is to be filled the slides g are lirst put in place, and the box then filled with butter, put in under pressure to exclude the air. The surface should then he covered with a dry piece of bleached muslin saturated With borax. A sheet of paper or other material coated with parafline,wax, or their equivalents is placed over the opening of the case and on the rim a, and on this the rubber band and lid, which can now be screwed down tightly. The muslin faeings ofthe slides and the muslin top will absorb the moisture and buttermilk that may be liberated during packing, while the antiacid and antiseptic properties of the borax will retard or prevent the formation of acidity to which the rancidity of butter is chietlyowing. It is evident there can be no soakage or waste of butter, and the air being entirely excluded the contents ofthe case, in a proper temperature, will keep sweet for a long time.

To empty the case, unscrew the bolts, remove the cover and elastic packing, lift oli' the parafned material spread over the surface of case and resting on the rim a, and by means of hooks inserted into the holes h draw up the slides g from between their muslin facings. A space is thus left between the butter and the sides ofthe metal case, and the latter can be readily emptied by inverting it., thus leaving its contents in a shape and condition for convenient division.

This case or package heilig of durable construction Will serve for continued use, and thus save the loss to the packer resulting from the use of ordinary tubs of the tub itself', as Well as the loss by soakage. The metal lining is preserved by a coating of parafiine. I have found borax to be most eicient in preventing or retarding acidity in buttermilk, and therefore admirably adapted for use in the buttercascs, as above described. Salts of soda could be used,butborax is preferable, as, on account ot' its feeble alkaline character, it will not injure the color ofthe butter.

The movable slides may be used as partitions, if desired.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The within-described butter-case, consisting of casing A, lining B, cover C, paranecoated rubberstripsf, slidesg,faced with boraX- covered mnslin, and means for securing the top, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. The combination, with a butter-case, of the slides g, coated with paramne, and covered with muslin saturated with a solution of borax, substantially as described, whereby the slides are prevented from rusting, and the moisture and buttermilk absorbed, as set forth.

3. The cast or malleable iron rim a, combined with the box A, and its metal lining, substantially as and for the purposes described.

J. K. HAMLIN.

Witnesses:

D. H. INsoHo, F. B. VANDEGRIFT. 

